Many homeowners want a real wooden deck to turn their backyard or balcony into a peaceful sanctuary. Accoya Gray, a new product, is causing a stir in the hardwood decking market and has (almost) sold out quickly. But what’s behind the Accoya Gray craze?”
Accoya Gray is the same as regular Accoya wood. Thanks to the modification, a modified Radiata pine is extremely durable, even when used outside.
Unlike previous Accoya products, Accoya Gray is completely gray all the way through. So, it could also be called Accoya pre-gray.
What is Accoya, exactly?
Unlike other decking woods like red cedar or Larch, Accoya is a modified wood product. New Zealand radiata pine is the primary source material for Accoya wood products. It’s treated with acetic acid to create the final product.
Because of this process, the radiata pine, also known as Accoya, doesn’t absorb as much water as a natural wood product. This means it shrinks and swells less than other woods because it takes in (and releases) less water.
Accoya will therefore stay stable over time. In our first blog post, you can learn more about Accoya wood decking.
While Accoya has many other benefits in addition to its incredible durability, it also has some drawbacks.
One of them is maintenance. Accoya decking, like cedar and larch decking, used to need to be oiled and cleaned at least every two years to keep the wood looking good. This treatment helps preserve the wood’s natural color and protects it from the elements.
But Accoya is taking things further with the Accoya Gray product (also known as gray or grey). The maker of Accoya, Accsys, has introduced Accoya Gray, a true wood product that is extremely durable but requires (almost) no maintenance.
And it has the bonus of starting with a natural gray color in the wood, without paint.
Isn’t that interesting?
What are the benefits of Accoya Gray?
Low maintenance
Accoya Gray is extremely easy to take care of. The wood product no longer needs additional treatment, greatly reducing the cost and effort of maintenance for homeowners.
The only upkeep required is occasional cleaning. We recommend cleaning Accoya Gray on your patio area at least every two years to remove any dirt and algae.
No peeling or scratching
Because Accoya Gray is dyed all the way through, unlike other treated products, the color will not peel off. Scratching the surface to reveal untreated wood is also no longer a concern.
Safe for humans and animals
The color pigment used for coloring is organic and non-toxic, making it environmentally friendly.
Long-lasting color
Accoya Gray’s color will last for years. Compared to tropical decking wood, Accoya Gray will retain its original color approximately three to four times longer.
Uniform weathering
Wooden decks only partially covered can quickly become two-toned when made of traditional woods such as Larch.
With untreated wood, for example, the covered, dry area of the deck would remain brown, while the exposed area would turn gray and develop a natural patina.
However, there were discrepancies in treatments or previously used alternate pre-greying methods. Because the exposed area of the wooden deck would need to be replaced sooner than the covered area, resulting in color variations.
Unlike Larch and other wood species, Accoya Gray weathers uniformly. Accoya Gray is especially recommended for decks that are partially covered. Even with these decks, Accoya Gray maintains a consistent color tone throughout.
Despite its numerous advantages, Accoya does have certain drawbacks.
The Accoya Gray cons
Accoya Gray has the same drawbacks as regular Accoya because it is not dyed through.
A list of these drawbacks can be found in our blog post: Uncovering the Accoya wood disadvantages. However, Accoya Gray also has an additional drawback.
The different color variations
Wood is a natural material, and no two trees are identical. This results in each piece of wood having its unique texture. This individual structure can also cause color variations within the Accoya Gray boards.
On the one hand, color changes between individual boards are possible. Color changes may also occur in the vicinity of knots and resin pockets.
What makes wooden decks appealing?
A wooden deck offers many benefits. More and more people prefer natural floor coverings.
Wood, a renewable raw material, is a great starting point for a new patio floor covering at home. Wood is not only environmentally friendly but also pleasant to the touch.
Unlike stone, it never feels too hot or cold on the body. This benefit is especially noticeable on hot summer days when you walk barefoot on the deck.
Finally, wood looks attractive and sophisticated. It’s no wonder that hardwood decks have adorned the world’s most magnificent ships for decades. This aesthetic, as well as the associated lifestyle, deserve a place in your home.”
But what are the drawbacks of having a wooden deck?
Unfortunately, a wooden deck also has its downsides. Like anything beautiful, it requires some maintenance. What does that mean exactly?
Wood is a natural material valued on a patio because of its appearance. Temperature changes, moisture, and high humidity require the wood to withstand everything.
It’s no surprise that only a few types of wood are suitable for demanding use as a deck in the backyard.
Weather-related stress causes the wood to age, and this aging can be seen over time. “No problem!” say those who prefer the natural look.
On the other hand, those who prefer high-end design want their deck, like their sports car, to look brand new a year later.
This is possible if the decking is well-maintained and receives new treatment at least every two years. Accoya, for example, is a wood product that promises an exceptionally long service life regardless of how it is cared for.”
Is Accoya Gray a good choice for my deck?
Due to its appearance and low maintenance, Accoya Gray is a great option for many of our customers.
You can determine if it is the right choice for you by asking yourself the following questions:
Do you want a real wood deck?
Do you desire a long-lasting wooden deck?
Would you like less maintenance than a standard wooden deck?
Do you want a gray tint?
Do you prefer a wood effect that showcases the grain of the wood?
Accoya Gray might be an excellent choice for your deck if you answered yes to all of the above questions.
Conclusion: Our experience with Accoya Gray
It is not surprising that the demand for Accoya Gray is already high following its market launch.
The gray wooden product is perfect for those who prefer natural hardwood decks with low maintenance.
As demonstrated by the raised bed example, the dimensionally stable Accoya Gray is also highly successful in processing. We are excited to work on many more exciting projects with the Accoya Gray wood material.